Workstation/hostingmetadata

Hosting metadata for yum/DNF or Flatpak

Metadata for distribution tools and GNOME Software must be refreshed periodically, such as when new versions of packaged applications are released for consumption by users. In many cases, Linux distributions take care of the metadata extraction, generation, and hosting for these purposes. However, this section provides information on how to host your own metadata in case you need to do so.

Install helper utilities

Install the following software to help parse and generate the metadata needed for hosting:

Next, go to the Github web interface and browse down in the file tree until you find the file called repomd.xml, and click on it. You should now see a button in the Github interface called Raw. Click that to get the raw version of the XML file. In the URL bar of your browser you should see a URL like this:

Copy this file to /etc/yum.repos.d on your computer and load up GNOME Software. Click on the Updates button in GNOME Software, and then select the refresh button in the top left corner to ensure your database is up to date. You should then be able to search in GNOME software and find your new application.
Generating Flatpak metadata

The Flatpak application packaging standard is another way to provide metadata for consumers. This guide assumes you are familiar with this standard, along with the manifest and basic build operations required. You can find extensive information on building Flatpaks and on hosting and signing flatpak repostories here.

Create an empty repository in a repo folder with this command:

$ ostree init --mode=archive-z2 --repo=repo

To tell flatpak-builder to import the end result of a build into this repository, pass the --repo option to use the folder you created: